Testosterone injections: 3 times a week or 2 times a week?

[jth0524]

Has anyone experimented with 3 times per week injections? Did you feel any better than 2? Also, does anyone on the forum feel better on just one time per week? Thanks, I've been on 2 times per week and am not feeling that great yet. I tried trt a year ago and seemed to feel more positive results from a bigger 1 time per week protocol. I get labs in 3 weeks and I'm interested in estradiol sensitive and SHBG.

 

[Vince Carter]

Most of the time its dictated by where your SHBG is at. 2 is the most common as once per week just about ignores the half-life of cypionate. Some guys go 3x, some go EOD, and a few of us go daily injections. It's kind of a journey but if you like once per week...go with it.

 

[CoastWatcher]

As Vince Carter noted, if once a week works for you that is where you should stay. I would have been delighted to maintain such a protocol, but I simply needed to adjust for low SHBG. I have been injecting on a daily basis for 14 months and feel very good.

You noted you were on TRT a year ago - why did you stop?

 

[jth0524]

CoastWatcher, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor 2 years ago. It's been a long journey to figure out what to do about it. My endo says I don't need surgery as it is a 5mm micro adenoma and doesn't appear to be causing excess hormones. Everything is normal with me except for 2 common things. My testosterone is always low(230-270) total and my IGF-1 is always at the very top of he range. She says I don't need testosterone as I am normal. I don't feel normal. I started therapy with my primary 3 weeks ago 60mg twice a week. I had been on 140mg one time per week for 6 weeks a year ago, but chickened out and wanted to try to raise my levels naturally. So, I'm back on now. I feel a little better, but I don't feel the surge and energy that I felt on 140mg a week. The negatives on 140mg where mood swings and the ups and downs. I guess I'll stay on current protocol for three more weeks until labs and go from there. I have a young primary care doctor who is my age(36) and will do pretty much whatever I want. He's very flexible, but I feel like I will have to lead when it comes to ideas and protocols.

 

[johndoesmith]

CoastWatcher, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor 2 years ago. It's been a long journey to figure out what to do about it. My endo says I don't need surgery as it is a 5mm micro adenoma and doesn't appear to be causing excess hormones. Everything is normal with me except for 2 common things. My testosterone is always low(230-270) total and my IGF-1 is always at the very top of he range. She says I don't need testosterone as I am normal. I don't feel normal. I started therapy with my primary 3 weeks ago 60mg twice a week. I had been on 140mg one time per week for 6 weeks a year ago, but chickened out and wanted to try to raise my levels naturally. So, I'm back on now. I feel a little better, but I don't feel the surge and energy that I felt on 140mg a week. The negatives on 140mg where mood swings and the ups and downs. I guess I'll stay on current protocol for three more weeks until labs and go from there. I have a young primary care doctor who is my age(36) and will do pretty much whatever I want. He's very flexible, but I feel like I will have to lead when it comes to ideas and protocols.

How long have you been back on?

Also maybe you have an E2 problem? Did you ever get that checked when you were on before? I'm thinking maybe you have low E2 and don't aromatise very much.

 

[CoastWatcher]

CoastWatcher, I was diagnosed with a pituitary tumor 2 years ago. It's been a long journey to figure out what to do about it. My endo says I don't need surgery as it is a 5mm micro adenoma and doesn't appear to be causing excess hormones. Everything is normal with me except for 2 common things. My testosterone is always low(230-270) total and my IGF-1 is always at the very top of he range. She says I don't need testosterone as I am normal. I don't feel normal. I started therapy with my primary 3 weeks ago 60mg twice a week. I had been on 140mg one time per week for 6 weeks a year ago, but chickened out and wanted to try to raise my levels naturally. So, I'm back on now. I feel a little better, but I don't feel the surge and energy that I felt on 140mg a week. The negatives on 140mg where mood swings and the ups and downs. I guess I'll stay on current protocol for three more weeks until labs and go from there. I have a young primary care doctor who is my age(36) and will do pretty much whatever I want. He's very flexible, but I feel like I will have to lead when it comes to ideas and protocols.

When you were on TRT in the past did you capture peak and trough levels?

 

[CoastWatcher]

Ok - see you noted that in another thread.

 

[jth0524]

I remember when I was on before it was at a Low T Center. The guy commented that I had extremely low estrogen on the initial labs before starting. I've been back on for 3 weeks. I have labs 3 weeks from now. Can you explain your thinking about low E2 and slow aromatization?

 

[CoastWatcher]

I remember when I was on before it was at a Low T Center. The guy commented that I had extremely low estrogen on the initial labs before starting. I've been back on for 3 weeks. I have labs 3 weeks from now. Can you explain your thinking about low E2 and slow aromatization?

I'm not sure I understand your question. When I was diagnosed with hypogonadism I had both low testosterone and VERY low estradiol (via the sensitive lab test). It was a classic example of estradiol reflecting a very low level of testosterone. If you had low levels of testosterone, it's not a surprise you had low estradiol. How did your levels respond after treatment initiated?

 

[jth0524]

Sorry, I was speaking to Johndoesmith

 

[Vince]

Has anyone experimented with 3 times per week injections? Did you feel any better than 2? Also, does anyone on the forum feel better on just one time per week? Thanks, I've been on 2 times per week and am not feeling that great yet. I tried trt a year ago and seemed to feel more positive results from a bigger 1 time per week protocol. I get labs in 3 weeks and I'm interested in estradiol sensitive and SHBG.

I like injecting twice a week but I've never had problems with high E2. I also inject 500iu of HCG twice a week. I like having that strong libido.

 

[Nelson Vergel]

Has anyone experimented with 3 times per week injections? Did you feel any better than 2? Also, does anyone on the forum feel better on just one time per week? Thanks, I've been on 2 times per week and am not feeling that great yet. I tried trt a year ago and seemed to feel more positive results from a bigger 1 time per week protocol. I get labs in 3 weeks and I'm interested in estradiol sensitive and SHBG.

The frequency of injections is not as important as having all other hormones balanced. In particular, TSH, free T3 and free T4 are good to check if you are still struggling to benefit from your protocol (assuming that your Cmin or trough T level is above 500 ng/dL). Also, no TRT protocol will work if your sleep quality is not good. Depression is another contributor to lack of expected results.

 

[jth0524]

Thanks Nelson

 

[Nelson Vergel]

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